Fantastic Beasts promises fans a whole new wizarding world

Stars of Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them have said fans can expect a whole new side of the wizarding world as the magic of Harry Potter moves to America in the latest film of the franchise.

Set in New York in 1926, the prequel to the much-loved stories of the boy wizard sees young "magizoologist" Newt Scamander, played by Eddie Redmayne, travel to Manhattan with a mysterious suitcase full of magical creatures.

He arrives at a time when segregation between magic and non-magical people is rife and his mischievous animals are far from welcome.

Speaking at the European premiere of the film in London's Leicester Square on Tuesday, she said: "I think there are a lot more eccentrics in the British world, for sure.

"But I think we are just beginning to discover this world. I think we get a taste of who the characters are, but a lot of them will unfold to be even more complex than what you get to see in this film."

JK Rowling, who made her screenwriting debut with the film, has revealed there will be at least another four films in the Fantastic Beasts series, including some characters that Harry Potter fans will already be familiar with.

David can't wait to get casting...again (Ian West/PA)

Making a surprise appearance at a fan event for the film last month, she and director David Yates said the next films would explore the wizarding community around the globe.

David said: "(Hogwarts headmaster) Dumbledore makes an appearance in the second film and there's a whole raft of characters who will be coming back and new characters that Jo (Rowling) has created.

"They are all wonderful and I can't wait to cast them - because that's going to be fun - and I can't wait to put them in the next film."

A New Yorker and serious Harry Potter fan himself, Dan Fogler, who plays the "No-Maj" (non-magical human) Jacob Kowalski, said he felt the film did justice to how he had pictured the American branch of the wizarding world.

Dan can't believe it's all real (Joel Ryan/AP/PA)

The star, 40, told said: "Academy Award-winning people rebuilding New York in the Twenties, you feel like you are being transported. It's surreal. It was like working in a dream."

Harry Potter fans lining the red carpet on Tuesday went wild as JK greeted them in a sparkling floor-length gold gown.

While she gave few details away, the writer, 51, promised there will be all sorts of "interesting things" coming up in the next film, both for diehard Potter fans and novices.

Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them will officially launch in UK cinemas on Friday.